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Mars heiress tops list of local billionaires, which now includes Trump

WASHINGTON — Ten longtime D.C.-area business leaders are on Forbes’ 2018 list of the world’s richest people.

President Donald Trump is currently an official Washington, D.C. resident, so bump that number up to 11.

Topping the list of local billionaires again this year is Mars candy heiress Jacqueline Mars, with a net worth of $23.6 billion, according to Forbes, enough to rank her No. 34 on this year’s list.

A distant second on the D.C. region’s billionaire’s list — though still a healthy net worth number — is local real estate tycoon and Washington Nationals owner Ted Lerner, at $4.7 billion. That ranks Lerner No. 441 on the 2018 Forbes list.

Mitchell Rales, co-founder of D.C.-based conglomerate Danaher Corp., ranks No. 3 on the D.C. region’s billionaire list with an estimated net worth of $3.5 billion.

Bernard Saul II, chairman and CEO of shopping center empire Saul Centers Inc., is fourth on the local list, with an estimated net worth of $3.5 billion.

President Donald Trump, whose current residence is 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, ranks fifth on the list of local billionaires at $3.1 billion.

Carlyle Group co-founders David Rubenstein, William Conway Jr. and Daniel D’Aniello tie for sixth each, with a net worth of $2.8 billion.

Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder is next, with a net worth of $2.3 billion.

AOL co-founder turned startup investor Steve Case follows Snyder, with a net worth of $1.3 billion.

Washington Capitals and Wizards owner Ted Leonsis follows Case, with an estimated net worth of $1 billion.

Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos, who recently purchased a house in the District, became the first person in the world whose net worth topped $100 billion. He’s first on the 2018 Forbes list with a net worth of $112 billion, passing No. 2 Bill Gates, whose net worth is estimated at $80 billion.

Berkshire Hathaway founder Warren Buffett ranks No. 3 on the 2018 list, with a net worth of $84 billion.

Forbes’ full list of the 2018 three-comma club is posted and searchable by country, industry, age and gender.

11 D.C.-area billionaires (Forbes)

1. Jacqueline Mars — Mars candy heiress $23.6 billion
2. Ted Lerner — Washington Nationals owner $4.7 billion
3. Mitchell Rales — co-founder, Danaher Corp. $3.5 billion
4. Bernard Saul II — shopping center developer $3.5 billion
5. Donald Trump — U.S. president $3.1 billion
6. David Rubenstein — Carlyle Group $2.8 billion
6. William Conway Jr. — Carlyle Group $2.8 billion
6. Daniel D’Aniello — Carlyle Group $2.8 billion
9. Dan Snyder — Washington Redskins owner $2.3 billion
10. Steve Case — AOL co-founder $1.3 billion
11. Ted Leonsis — Washington Wizards, Capitals owner $1 billion

Massachusetts court hears arguments in lawsuit alleging Meta designed apps to be addictive to kids

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts' highest court heard oral arguments Friday in the state's lawsuit arguing that Meta designed features on Facebook and Instagram to make them addictive to young users. The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, alleges that Meta did this to make a profit and that its actions affected hundreds of thousands of teenagers in Massachusetts who use the social media platforms. “We are making claims based only on the tools that Meta has developed because its own research shows they encourage addiction to the platform in a variety of ways,” said State Solicitor David Kravitz, adding that the state's claim has nothing to do the company's algorithms or failure to moderate content. Meta said Friday that it strongly disagrees with the allegations and is “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” Its attorney, Mark Mosier, argued in court that the lawsuit “would impose liabilities for performing traditional publishing functions” and that its actions are protected by the First Amendment.
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